Sluice gate



Nov. 8, 1949 SCHOFIELD 2,487,185

SLUICE GATE Filed May 24, 1944 Z59], Tfi

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4 INVENTOR Jami/1256 L l I BYQ Patented Nov. 8, 1949 SLUICE GATE Edwin E. Schofield, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application May 24, 1944, Serial No. 537,086

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to improvements in sluice "gates and is directed more particularly to an is mounted on the sluice gate frame with a piston therein that is connected to the gate. By reason of the unique construction of the invention, there is a considerable saving in the space or room occupied by the apparatus which is very desirable since in some installations there is a lack of room for the apparatus;

It has been customary in connection with sluice gates to mount the cylinder on a support or yoke with the cylinder necessarily, because of the method of construction, extending beyond the support a distance at least equal to the travel of the gate. This results in a total or overall length or height which is objectionable and in many cases it is diflicult, if not impossible, to find room for the apparatus.

According to this invention the cylinder is carried between the ends of the frame and a piston reciprocable therein has its rod connected to the gate thereby to move the gate between its open and closed positions. By the novel construction, there is provided an apparatus which is of shorter length or height than prior art apparatus so as to occupy less space.

Various other novel features and advantages of the invention will be observed from the following description of the preferred form thereof, in which reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sluice gate embodying the novel features of the invention; and

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and are sectional elevational views on the lines 2-2, 33, 4-4 and 55 respectively of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, the invention will be fully described.

The sluice gate includes a frame having longitudinal side members 2, transverse end members 4 and 6 and an intermediate transverse member 8. The frame or so much thereof as may be desired may be secured in any well known manner to the construction with which the sluice gate is to be used.

A water way or opening is provided between the intermediate and end members 8 and 4 which is closed by a gate l2 when in closed position.

Longitudinal guide members 9 are carried by the s e membe s 2 which are provided with longitudinal grooves II and the gate l2 has tongues I4 on opposite longitudinal sides that are receivable in the said grooves H. The guide members 9 may be integral parts of the frame if desired.

The gate I2 is slidable back and forth relative I to the guide members from the closed position over the opening, as shown, to an open position away therefrom.

Adjacent faces of the gate and frame are provided with transverse seats I6 and I8 and longitudinal seats 22 and 20 as is customary in sluice gate construction.

Cooperating wedging devices 24 and 26 are associated with the gate and frame which may be of usual form common with sluice gates for holding the seats of the gate and frame in the desired seating relation.

A cylinder 30 has its outer end closed by a head 32 and it is supported adjacent its head end by a port 340i end member 6. Theinner end of the cylinder is closed by a head 36'and said head is preferably supported by members 38 fixed thereto that are secured to the intermediate member 8. Other means than shown may if desired secure the cylinder to the frame.

A piston 40 reciprocable in the cylinder has a rod 42 which extends through a stufiing box construction 44 associated with the cylinder head 36. Said rod 42 may have a sliding fit in the intermediate member 8.

The free end of the piston rod 42 is connected to the gate by any suitable means but in the form of the invention shown a reduced part 46 of the rod is received in a bracket 48 which is'flxed to the gate. The end of rod part 46 threadedly receives a nut or nuts 50 whereby the end of the rod is operably connected to the bracket.

Pipes 52 and 54 connected to the cylinder may be connected to a hydraulic or other system whereby the piston may be reciprocated back and forth.

Pressure applied through pipe '54 will facilitate movement of the gate from the closed position shown :to an open position, while pressure applied through pipe 52 will bring about movement of the gate to its closed position.

In the event the cylinder and piston rod are not in alignment with the seats of the frame and gate, it is possible that in the operation of the apparatus the parts may be strained. To obviate this, the connection of the end of the rod and gate may allow for movement of the rod as by providing :an elongated or enlarged hole for the rod in the bracket 48.

It will be noted that the cylinder is carried by the frame substantially between its opposite ends thereby conserving spac as distinguished from a construction where the cylinder is mounted at the end of the frame.

While in the form of the invention shown, the cylinder and rod are disposed beneath or rearwardly of the gate, they may be readily disposed above or forwardly thereof all within the spirit and scope oflthe'invention.

The inventionrmay be embodied riniother specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Hence, the present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects merely as being illustrative and not as being restrictive, the scope of the iin'vention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications and variations as fall within the meaning and purview and rangepf equivalency of the aprpended claims are thereforeintended to be embraced therein.

What it is desired to claim and secure-by Letters Patent o'f theUnited States is:

A unitary sluice gate construction comprising in combination, a frame formed from secured together spaced longitudinal side members and spacedtransverse forward and rear end members and having forward and rear sides, an intermediate transverse member secured at opposite ends to said side members, said "forward end member said intermediate member and forward portions of said side members being relatively spaced providing a rectangular openingat the forward end of said .frame for disposition over a waterway, longitudinal guideways secured to the forward sides of said side .members, a rectangular gate having forward and rear sides slidable in said guideways at the forward side of said side members betweena closedposition at the forward end of said frame "over :the opening 'therein and an open position 'at the rear end of said frame, a cylinder secured adjacent its opposite .ends to said intermediate-and rear end members and disposed in a plane rearwardlyof the rear sides of *said'side and'end membersmeans for conducting 4 pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a piston rod extending from said piston towards said forward end member and having a free end, connections between said free end of the piston rod and said gate disposed at a portion of the gate adjacent said forward end member when the gate is in closed position, said piston rod and connections disposed rearwardly of the rear side of said gate,

inner rear faces of the gate adjacent :marginal edges thereof and forward sides of portions of the side members and intermediate member around said opening provided with engageable seats adapted to provide a tight seal around said opening when the gate is in closed position, and spaced wedge means carried by the forward end member and portions of said side members adjacent said opening and extending upwardly and inwardly over the gate when in closed position adapted to bear on said gate and hold the seats thereof in seating .relation with .the seats of the forward end .member, ,portions of the :side members and intermediate member.

EDWIN R. SCI-IQFIIELD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

